If you want to start a Print on Demand (POD) business, choosing the right platform is critical. Each POD platform has different benefits, profit potential, audience reach, and competition levels. In this guide, we’ll compare the top POD platforms like Merch by Amazon, Redbubble, Teespring, Printful, and Printify to help you make the best choice in 2025.
🔍 How to Choose the Best POD Platform?
When choosing a POD platform, consider these 5 key factors:
1️⃣ Market Size & Organic Traffic – Does the platform have built-in customers (like Amazon) or do you need to drive traffic?
2️⃣ Product Range – What kind of products can you sell (t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, etc.)?
3️⃣ Profit Margins – How much do you make per sale?
4️⃣ Ease of Use – Is it easy to upload designs and start selling?
5️⃣ Payment & Payouts – How and when do you get paid?
📌 Top Print-on-Demand Platforms (2025 Comparison)
| Platform | Best For | Organic Traffic? | Profit Margins | Product Selection | Payout Time | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merch by Amazon | Best for passive income, largest audience | ✅ Yes (Amazon customers) | 🔹 Moderate (Amazon takes a cut) | 👕 T-shirts, hoodies, PopSockets, etc. | 🗓️ Net-30 (monthly payouts) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Redbubble | Artists, unique designs, no ads needed | ✅ Yes | 🔹 Low (RB takes a big cut) | 🎨 Art-based items (stickers, posters, shirts) | 🗓️ Monthly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Teespring (Spring) | Social media sellers, influencers | ❌ No (need your own traffic) | 🔹 Medium (better than RB) | 👕 Apparel, mugs, phone cases, posters | 🗓️ 3-7 days | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Printful | Shopify, Etsy sellers, private branding | ❌ No | 🔹 High (you control pricing) | 🔥 Wide range (leggings, backpacks, etc.) | 🗓️ On order fulfillment | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Printify | Sellers looking for low-cost production | ❌ No | 🔹 High (cheaper than Printful) | 🔥 Wide range (same as Printful) | 🗓️ On order fulfillment | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Zazzle | Artists, customizable products | ✅ Yes | 🔹 Low | 🎨 Posters, invitations, business cards | 🗓️ Net-45 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
🛒 1. Merch by Amazon (Best for Passive Income & Amazon Traffic)
⭐ Best for: Beginners, passive income seekers, those who want to leverage Amazon traffic.
🔹 Why Choose Merch by Amazon?
✅ Amazon is the biggest online marketplace (millions of buyers).
✅ Organic traffic (you don’t need ads).
✅ High trust & credibility – People buy from Amazon confidently.
✅ Passive income – Once a design sells, Amazon prints & ships it.
🔻 Cons:
❌ Application required – Can take weeks/months to get approved.
❌ Limited product range – Only sells apparel & some accessories.
❌ Amazon takes a big cut – Profit margins are lower than self-managed POD.
🎯 Best For: Passive sellers who want a hands-off business using Amazon’s customer base.
📌 How to Get Started?
- Apply at Merch by Amazon
- Get approved & upload your first designs
- Set your price and let Amazon print, ship, and fulfill orders.
🎨 2. Redbubble (Best for Artists & Organic Sales)
⭐ Best for: Artists, unique designs, sticker sellers.
🔹 Why Choose Redbubble?
✅ Free & easy to start (instant signup).
✅ Organic traffic – Customers already visit Redbubble.
✅ Unique product selection (stickers, wall art, apparel).
🔻 Cons:
❌ Lower profit margins (Redbubble takes a big cut).
❌ High competition – Many sellers upload similar designs.
❌ Less control – You cannot market or brand your store.
🎯 Best For: Artists who want a set-and-forget income with minimal effort.
📌 How to Get Started?
- Sign up at Redbubble
- Upload designs & set your markup
- Redbubble handles printing, shipping, and customer service
🛒 3. Teespring (Spring) (Best for Social Media & YouTube Influencers)
⭐ Best for: Content creators, YouTubers, social media marketers.
🔹 Why Choose Teespring?
✅ No upfront cost – Just upload designs.
✅ Easy to integrate with YouTube & social media.
✅ Better profit margins than Redbubble.
🔻 Cons:
❌ No organic traffic – You need ads or an audience.
❌ Limited product range compared to Printful or Printify.
🎯 Best For: YouTubers, Instagram sellers, and people with an existing audience.
📌 How to Get Started?
- Sign up at Spring
- Upload designs & link your YouTube or TikTok store.
- Sell directly to your followers & subscribers.
🚀 4. Printful (Best for Etsy, Shopify & High-Profit Margins)
⭐ Best for: Etsy sellers, Shopify store owners, branded stores.
🔹 Why Choose Printful?
✅ No inventory required – They print & ship on demand.
✅ Premium quality printing – Higher than Teespring/Redbubble.
✅ Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce.
✅ More product options – Hoodies, phone cases, leggings.
🔻 Cons:
❌ No built-in traffic – You must drive traffic (SEO, ads, social media).
❌ Higher product costs – Compared to Printify.
🎯 Best For: Etsy/Shopify sellers who want branding & high-profit margins.
📌 How to Get Started?
- Sign up at Printful
- Connect to Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce.
- Upload designs & start selling.
🛍️ 5. Printify (Best for Cheapest Base Prices & Shopify Sellers)
⭐ Best for: Shopify sellers, bulk POD sellers, cost-conscious entrepreneurs.
🔹 Why Choose Printify?
✅ Lower product costs than Printful (choose different suppliers).
✅ More supplier choices – Print from US, EU, China.
✅ Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce.
🔻 Cons:
❌ No organic traffic – You must market yourself.
❌ Quality varies – Depends on the supplier you choose.
🎯 Best For: People who want higher profit margins & are okay with testing different print suppliers.
📌 How to Get Started?
- Sign up at Printify
- Choose a supplier & product
- Connect to Shopify, Etsy, or eBay
🚀 Conclusion: Which POD Platform is Best for You?
- 👑 Best for Beginners & Passive Income → Merch by Amazon
- 🎨 Best for Artists & Stickers → Redbubble
- 📢 Best for YouTubers & Influencers → Teespring (Spring)
- 🛍️ Best for High Profits & Branding → Printful
- 💰 Best for Low-Cost POD & Bulk Orders → Printify
